We all pretty much know that virtual reality (VR) is the hot thing at the moment. Chasm – A Virtual Reality experience is thebrainchild of Auckland University of Technology student Benjamin Bray, and boy is it interesting. “Overwhelming” is a word that comes to mind. If this isn’t A+ work, we don’t know what is.

Resn, SLAVA & Google Zoo Russia all teamed up for this innovative project, which is the English version of the audition process for the first theatrical online reading of Anton Chekov. Think an online quiz, but highly interactive, immersive, and littered with so much pop art imagery it would make Warhol blush.

A great resource to help with Te Reo Maōri from the minds of creative director Pep Zuijderwijk, Ryan Shields, Roberto Uribe, Simon Winter, Dragonfly Data Science and Douglas Bagnall for Te Māngai Pāho, this app tracks the use of language in media. It’s an ultramodern way to ensure the language is kept alive.

DNA – MBIE: Immigration.govt.nz

Anyone who has ever immigrated can relate to how difficult the immigration process can be – not the least of which is an intimidating application process. But the new website for INZ is incredibly simple and straightforward, while also answering questions potential immigrants might have without being overwhelming. It’s a design that can literally improve people’s lives.

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The Best Design Awards 2016 will be handed out on Friday, 14 October at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland. Tickets can be orderedonline.